KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Despite outshooting Franklin Pierce University 25-6, Kutztown University's nationally-ranked field hockey team missed an opportunity Friday afternoon against a winning program. Kutztown led the majority of the game, but Franklin Pierce forced overtime with less than 12 minutes to play and ultimately scored the game-winner as Kutztown fell 2-1 in its home-opener at Andre Reed Stadium.
 
The Golden Bears (1-1) controlled the tempo and possession for most of the game, and led from the 12th minute on from Kyra Wozniak's (Plains, Pa./James M. Coughlin) third goal in two games. KU allowed just one shot in the first half and four in the second, and held a 15-1 advantage in penalty corners, but the Ravens (2-0) – winners of 10 games last year – made the most of their opportunities, scoring on two of their six total shots.
 
Kutztown nearly pulled out a dramatic win in the waning minutes of regulation. In the final two minutes, KU worked itself into a breakaway situation down the left sideline, however, the ensuing shot ricocheted off the near post to keep the game tied.
 
In 7-v-7 overtime, Franklin Pierce broke into transition quickly and Rachel Lapointe found herself with a breakaway 30 yards from goal. Starting on the right side of the field, she dribbled across the front of the KU goalkeeper, stopped and spun back toward the middle of the field and beat two KU defenders on the back line for the game-winner on her first shot of the game.
 
Wozniak's first-half goal was set up off a cross from the right side by Rachel Dusman (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg Area), and Franklin Pierce tied the game in the 59th minute off a rebound.
 
The Golden Bears return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 8, on the road at Saint Thomas Aquinas. Game time is set for 12 p.m.